In Kuna, Idaho, a church building that hosts Sunday school on weekends transforms into a weekday preschool classroom — a practical partnership that helps fill a gap left by the absence of state-funded early childhood education. My Place Preschool, housed inside the Kuna Church of the Nazarene, is operated by Kuna Early Learning, a nonprofit working alongside the Kuna School District to give young children in the Treasure Valley community a structured path to kindergarten readiness.
A Partnership Built on Shared Space and Shared Goals
The arrangement is straightforward: the Kuna Church of the Nazarene provides the facility, and Kuna Early Learning provides the program. My Place Preschool runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, while the church uses the same space for its Sunday programming.
Denise Macaluso serves as the preschool’s director. She is employed by the church but dedicates the majority of her working hours to the preschool operation, spending roughly ten hours per week on church-related duties. Macaluso described the congregation’s enthusiasm for the arrangement, saying, “The church thinks this is a great ministry, to be able to do this for the preschoolers and the families in the area.”
Ludee Vermaas, executive director of Kuna Early Learning, coordinates closely with Macaluso, with the two meeting on a monthly basis to keep the partnership running smoothly.
Filling the Gap Idaho’s Legislature Has Not
Idaho remains one of only six states in the country that does not fund preschool at the state level. That means programs like Kuna Early Learning operate entirely without state preschool dollars, relying instead on a patchwork of grants, tuition, and community support.
Vermaas applies for 15 to 20 grants each year, with roughly four or five receiving approval. The financial challenge is real — the nonprofit recently discontinued a free lunch program that had been costing approximately $20,000 annually, a decision driven entirely by budget constraints.
Families who enroll in My Place Preschool pay $700 per month at the standard rate. For those who qualify for a scholarship through Kuna Early Learning, the cost drops to $350 per month — still a significant expense for working families in the area. By comparison, the Boise School District offers free preschool at two locations, an option unavailable to Kuna families without a lengthy commute.
Kuna Early Learning’s model also places a distinct emphasis on parental involvement. Families are required to attend three trainings per year focused on kindergarten preparation, reinforcing the program’s goal of bridging the gap between early childhood and formal schooling.
An Ambitious Vision for Outdoor Learning
Despite the funding constraints, Kuna Early Learning has its sights set on an ambitious expansion. The Land Group, a planning and design firm, donated a full building plan for an outdoor recreation facility at no charge. The estimated construction cost for the project sits at $700,000 — a substantial sum that Vermaas and her team will need to pursue through additional grants and community fundraising.
Vermaas made clear just how much the project means to her and the children the program serves: “This is the dream.”
The nonprofit also has a longer-term enrollment goal that reflects a broader commitment to inclusive early education. Vermaas hopes to eventually bring the program to a mix of 50 percent special education students and 50 percent general education students — an integration model that research consistently supports for early childhood development outcomes.
What Comes Next for Kuna Early Learning
For Ada County families in the Kuna area considering early childhood options, My Place Preschool represents one of the few structured, affordable programs available locally. Families interested in scholarship enrollment or the standard tuition program can reach out to Kuna Early Learning directly to learn about availability and the parent training requirements.
The $700,000 outdoor recreation facility remains a fundraising priority. Residents and local businesses interested in supporting the project or the broader mission of Kuna Early Learning can connect with the organization to explore donation or grant partnership opportunities. As Idaho continues to lag behind most states on preschool funding, community-driven solutions like this one carry increasing weight for Treasure Valley families investing in their children’s earliest years of learning.